Electrolytic cell.



*H. C. JENKINS.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION mm NOV. 4. 1914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. C. JENKINS. ELECTROLYHC CELL. APPLICATION flLED NOV. 4. 1914.

; Pate Med Aug. 17, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. C. JENKINS.

- ELECTROLYHGC APPLICATION FILED NOV. 14

H. C. JENKLNS.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1914.

Patent-ed Aug. 17,

4 SHEETSSHEET' HENRY CHARLES JENKINS, 0F Lennon, ENGLAND.

ELECTRQLYTIC CELL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

Applicet onfiled November 4, 1914. serial No. 870,240.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HEnnY CHARLES J EN- KINS, a subject of the King ofEngland, residing at 80 Salisbury House, London lVall, London, England,associate RoyalSchool of Mines, engineer, whose post-oilice address is804 Salisbury House, London lVall, Lon.- don, England, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The present invention relates to electrolytic cells for thedecomposition of solutions, such as the aqueous solutions of alkalinechloride and nitrates, and relates more particularly to cells inwhi'chthe decomposition is efi'ected without the use of a porousdiaphragnrseparating the liquids lying around the cathode and anoderespectively.

The invention is specially applicable to cells of the so called belltype, and in which aqueous solutions ot'alkaline' chlorids areelectrolyzed, for. the production of caustic alkali and chlorin, orwhere the caustic alkali produced by electrolysis is converted intocarbonate by supplying'carbonic acid gas in the neighborhood of thecathode.

Under the present invention a definite vertical displacement of theelectrolyte in Stratified layers between the anode and the cathode isattained.

In the following description of the invention the anode is supposed tobe that electrode contained within the bell, but the externalconnections'may for some usages be reversed so that this electrodebecome the cathode without altering the character of 1 at the anodesurfaces, the liquid introduced displacing liquid in the bell,.eitherupward to a draw ofi' device within the bell, from i which draw offdevice the liquid flows over a weir, or downward toward the lower edgeof the bell.

The flow in one or other of the two directions may be intermittent, orthe incoming stream of electrolyte may be divided into two parts.

' The invention further consists in controlling the division of the flowof-electrolyte' towardthe electrode in such cell by adjusting a weir.

plane G H.

The invention also consists in a cell of the type described, in whichthe levels of the liquids are causedby difierence of pressure to bedifferent insideand outside the bell,

the liquid being drawn off by overflowing into a pipe opening at thehigher level, and returned by a pipe below the level of the li uid.

he invention further consists in a cell of the type described having anautomatic valve adapted to close the pipe by which the gas is drawn offunder suction from the interior of the bell when the bell is removedfrom the cell. v

The invention also consists in the improved apparatus for electrolysishereinafter described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure I is a diagrammatic viewof the general arrangement of the cell and subsidiary tanks. Fig. II isa section in echelon across a series ofpairs of cathodes and anodes. Theleft hand half of the figure shows two such pairs, as would be seen by asection in the plane A. B. in Figs. III and IV, while the right handhalf-of the figure shows the draw off channel for 1i uid and the channelwith automatic valve within the bell for gas seen in section and inelevation respectively near to theplane C D in Fig. III and Fig. IV.Fig. III is a section on the plane E F of Fig. II, and at right anglesto the earlier figures. Fig. IV is a section parallel to Fig. III but inthe In carrying the invention into effect according to the exampleillustrated there is provided a suitably formed external cell or bath(1) of metal earthenware or other suitable material the particularmaterial selected depending on the chemical composition of the materialelectrolyzed, and being selected for its resistant properties to suchmaterial. In the example shown in Figs. II, III and IV it has an ironouter framework with a filling and inner surfaces of 'nonconductingmaterial, but in some cases the walls of a cell may act as an electrode.Conducting cathodes (2) and anodes (3) are provided. The cathodes (2)may be formed able manner to allow gas evolved at their of suitablemetal, and built upin any suitsurfaces to escape into. an inverted trayof 3 any suitable material (4) from which the gases pass by a ,pipe- (5)and stopcock iridesired to a collecting pipe (6)outs-ide the The anodecell. 'Bus bars (7) and (H) are provided by whichto connect. the seriesof one or more pairs of anodes and cathodes to a suitable source ofelectrical energv.

If'desired means may be provided for introducingsearhonic acid gas orother gas to the electrolyte;

H (lesired'the cathodes may be foi'iiied holl ow and gas or liquideither hot or cold my be forced through them to regulate the lienueraturd;

is situated within a bell '(Qlof earthenware or other suitable.uonconductingiiiaterial preferably made inipervious to liquids. Thisbell. as illustrated, is freely open on its'umlerside. It may however bepartially closed either by a suitable gridczoi' porous diaphragm.

The bell projects l'or a convenient distance into the liquid. andseparates this into two portions.

As-illustrated-the anode is attached firmly to thebell, and projectsinto 'its interior,

an ail-{tight electrical connection or connections be1n g 'made to theanode bus bar. (7)

through holes at the top of the bell. \Vithin the bell there areprovided pipes (10), (11) rising from the floor of-the outer cell (1).The pipes (10) rise to near the top of thebells and are sometimesprovided with valves (12). operated in this form by levers" (13) thathave bifurcated ends which take under opposite sides of the rims ot' thevalves (12) and rock on a shoulder loosely fitted in a curved recess ina fixed part of the cells adjacent to the pipes 10.- Each lever (13) hasa projecting arm (14) adapted to come in contact with the topot' thebell when the latter is placed in position inthe cell, so

that on placing the bell in position the lever ('13) is operated and thevalve (12) lifted. hen the bell'is raised the valve (12) automaticallycloses by reason of its own weight or htherwise.

The pipe (10) by which the gases are. drawn otf leads to a drainingchamber 15) from which liquid is drawn off by the pipe (16) to the sump'(17) while the gases are drawn of]? by the pipe (18). A diminishedpressure relative to that existing on the surface of the electrolyteoutside the bell is thus always maintained in the vessel (15) and thuswithin the hell (9).

In order to regulate the. temperature and the conditions as regardssaturation of the electrolyte, the-draw oil pipe (11) is provided,leading to the interior of the bell. and which maybe fitted with anenlarged mouth, situated at a convenient height above the level of theliquid in the outer cell. This level'is somewhat determined by thedifference of pressure maintained in the chamber '(15). The draw oflpipe (11) is con-- DeCtQ(l Ol' l lS l(lt the cell to a small tank (19)which isprovidecl with a weir 20 which can be set at any sired height,the liquid overilmving the weir passing into a sump or channel'2l from'which it :is drawn fi' by a pump to suitable devices for heating,saturating or other treatment. such as removal of gases, precipitationof products or neuprovided with a suitably shaped obstructin; piece 24to direct the liquid in substantially a horizontal sheet acrossthe-bell. By suitably arranging the size or shapc'of theseobstructingpieces, the quantityof; liquid passing to each bell of thecell'can-bevarled so thatuniform conditions can bemilin tained in anumber of different bellsof a single cell. Vltll this arrangement 1fextra liquid is placed 1n :1 second subsidiary'tank 25 connected tothepipe 22, the level there will 'belraised, and the liquid will flowunder the bell in a more or less flat sheet, and displace liquid fromthe upper surface of the bell.

'meaus or by keeping a supply of undissolved salt in the supply tan-k.lVhere a The concentrated condition of the liquid at the electrodewithin the bell is regulated temperatureof the contents of the bell isrequired, the liquidbetween the two outside tanks may be heated as bysteam or.

water' pipes. or by electrical resistance or otherwise. such'subsidlaryapparatus is indicatedinthe diagram Fig. I as at 26 but part or all ofthis may also be for con-' venience placed in another part of thecirculating system as at 25 or 22. Freshly concentrated or heate'dbrmeor otherelecresented by the sump 21.

trolyte may be added to the system. as rep- Y The quantity of liquidcirculated may be regulated by a dipper wheel or pump or other suitablemeans and delivered in any predetermmed.manner, and-rate, and suit-'able pumps may be providedfor elevating the liquid between the sump 21and the tank 25 all such measuring and pumping gear being indicated. bythe device '28 in the diagram. 1 t

The rapidity of passage of the'electrolyte through the cells may beregulated further by introducing a frictional resistance such as forinstance baffles in the supply pipe.

One such bafile, is found in the suitably shaped obstructing piece 24.

The alkali or other liquid product of electrolysis is drawn ofi byoverflow from the pipe 29 into the channel 30;

The. current of regenerated electrolyteopposed to the direction of thedifiusion of inf . the outer cell either continuously orinterginittently as desired. The amount so drawn"- off'may. further bevaried by varying the] v di fierencebf pressure between the inside andthe outside of the hell, or by varying through the base of the cell-suchthe liberations, as from an inlet such as 23,

'will assist in theoperation of the celL The electrolyzed liquid may bewithdrawn from the level of the outlet weir or by varying the quantityof. liquid supphed.

In order toprevent loss offbeat, the cell may be coated withnon-conducting 1113-, term], and. when the amount of heat that would becarried off :by

conduction or which is required for chemical reaction is excessive,andbeyond the capacity of the regulators, I may pass a small current ofsteam as by pipes 31 provided'i'or that purpose.

1 Havingfully described my 7 invention, what I claim and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is v 1. An electrolytic cell, of the indicatedtype comprising an external cell, an elec-. trode therein, an overflowpipe to said cell,

a bell-shaped top located in the upper part .01 the cell with its loweropen mouth below thejoverflow therefrom,-an electrode within fsaid bell,a liquid supply pipe discharging '80 immediately below the electrode inthe bell, a liquid draw-off pipe opening in the said .bell above thelower open mouth of said bell,

- a gas discharge pipe opening in the upper part of the bell, and meansfor withdrawing the'gasfrom the bell through said gas pipe.

2. An electrolytic cell .of the indicated type comprising an externalcell, an electrode therein, an overflow pipe to said cell,

a bell-shaped top located in theupper part of the cell with its loweropen mouth below 'gjthe overflow. therefrom, an electrode within jfsaidbell, a liqu d supply pipe discharging "immediately belowi-theelect-rode in the bell,

a liquid draw -ofl pipe opening in said bell above the lower open mouthof "said bell, a

coplel of am potent m be obtained mtahl: connected'to said liquiddrcw=ofl pi an adjustable weir in said tank, a gas l= charge pipeopening in the upper part at the bell, and means for withdrawing the gasthrough said gas pipe. I An electrolytic cell of the indicated typecomprisingan external cell, an clcc= 't-rodetherein, an overflow pipe tosaid cell al bell-shapcd top'located in the upper part of the. cell withits lower open mouth below of said gas pipe, and means for withdraw ingthe gas from the bell thrcughjcid gas pipe.

trodes and a liquid suppl below the electrode in thb a flared outlet.

pipe discharging 5. An electrolytic cell of the indicated type'comprising agell and a bell shaped top thereto each containing -,oue ofthe elec trodes, a liquid sup 'l'y pi dischargin below the bell electr eand h avin a flared. outlet, and anobstructing piece heated in saidoutlet to restrict the flow and cause. it

ell and hav An electrolytic cell of the indicated type comprising a celland a belbshaped top thereto 'each containing one oi the elec= to streamlaterally through the bell adjacent to the bell electrode.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing wit= nesses this 23 day of October 1914.

HEN-RY CHARLES JENKINS.

Witnesses:

B. GOLFRY, H.. D. J AMESON.

he cents each, by addressing the "container 01 retell", Washington, 1:.c." I

